Irrigation Dept can be platform for hydel, solar projects: Minister

Lahore: Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad has said that Irrigation and Power Department can be an efficient platform for launching small hydel power generation as well as solar energy projects in the province to overcome the energy crisis.

He was presiding over a departmental meeting at Irrigation headquarters' committee room for reviewing amendments in Power Policy 2008.

Secretary Irrigation, Babur Bharwana and members of the committee besides representatives of lime-departments also attended the meeting.

The meeting agreed that timeframe for the 50MW projects should be rationalised to attract more investment by the private sector. There are 317 suitable sites already pointed-out by the department on canals/barrages where a total of 600MW electricity can be generated.

Raja Riaz asked the private sector to pay particular attention towards launching solar energy projects to overcome rising energy needs. The meeting was told that total installed solar energy capacity of Pakistan is 19,566MW while total Indian installed solar capacity is 1, 37,000MW.

Solar energy is pollution free and with the help of photovoltaic devices light energy can be converted into electricity. According to international estimates, Punjab is the most suitable place for setting up solar energy projects.

The meeting was informed that China can be helpful in launching of new solar energy projects besides providing technical assistance for feasibility studies, capacity building and training as wel as procurement of solar based home appliances.